Dr. Lawrence Chalmer, Director of the NATO Education Center at National Defense University, visits Tbilisi from 08-11 March 2009

March 8-11, 2009

Dr. Lawrence Chalmer, Director of the NATO Education Center at National Defense University

The U.S. Embassy welcomed Dr. Lawrence Chalmer, Director of the NATO Education Center at National Defense University, to Tbilisi from 08-11 March 2009.  Dr. Chalmer presented a lecture, "Substance, Nuance, and the 21^st Century," an in-depth exploration of NATO's current global role, to audiences at Tbilisi State University , the Georgian Diplomatic Academy, the Georgian Institute for Public Administration (GIPA), and the Georgian Foundation for Strategic and International Studies (GFSIS).  Dr. Chalmer provided detailed assessments of NATO's current global position to audiences including undergraduate and graduate students, policy analysts, and government officials.  Post-lecture discussion sessions focused on the current role member-states play in the alliance, the difficulties to be met and overcome in the membership process, and the role a future Georgia would have in NATO. Of particular note, many students saw the entire text of Article Five of the North Atlantic Treaty for the first time. This clause cites the principle that an armed attack against one is an attack against all, and while prescribing that each alliance member must assist the party attacked, it leaves the manner of assistance broad and undefined.  Audiences gained new insight into the nuances of Article Five obligations, and the varied means, beyond military assistance, by which they might be fulfilled.